Stock-gangway



(No Model.) v

H. T. KEENAN.

STOCK GANGWAY. No. 378,319. Pm n'ted Feb. 21, 1888.-

N, PUEHs. Phok rLiiMgnpher. W-nhin tcn. D. c.

lUrTiTnn STaTns PATENT Orrrcnc HIRAM T. KEENAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OLNEY NEWELL, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

STOCK=GANGWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,319, dated February 21, 1888,

Application filed May 7,1887. Serial No. 237,423. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM T. Knnniin, of Chicago, in the county of (look and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stock-Gangways; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention is an improved device for bridging the space existing between the doors of stock-cars and the platforms alongside the track, which form level places at the ends of the inclines leading from the stock-pens. Vhen stock-cars are run alongside these platforms for the purpose of loading or unloading cattle, a space is left between the car and the platform, which, in order to prevent cattle or men being hurt by falling into it, it is customary to bridge in some manner. Heretoforc this has been done in various ways; but all are more or less objectionable for numerous reasons. lhe usual ways in which this bridging has been efl'ected are as follows: By having a simplcgang-plank, which is thrown into place when desired, or by having a staging wide enough to bridge this space, either hinged to the side of the car or to the platform, and adapted to be swung up or down into position, or by having said staging slide in grooves on the car or platform; and I do not therefore claim, broadly, any such device, my invention consisting in the details of construction hereinafter fully described, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the platform with my invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said platform with my device in position for use. 7

In the drawings, A represents the platform at the end of the inclines leading from the stock-pens.

My improved bridging device is shown at B, and is preferably made of wood about equal in length to the width of the door of a stockcar, and wide enough to bridge the space existing between the platform and the car. Bars 0 0, preferably made of iron, are attached at one end, preferably, to the under side of the bridge by means of bolts (4 a, and at the other the platform A by similar bolts, I) b.

It will thus be seen that by means of the abovedescribed construction the bridge is adapted to be shifted from side to side, as de sired, so that when not in use it may be moved either to the right or left upon the platform, and thus be kept out of the way. The points of connection of the bars with the bridge are near the opposite ends thereof. The bars are of equal length, and when the platform is shifted the outer ends of the bars will describe arcs of a circle, and the movement of one bar is equal in all respects to that of the other, which will have the effect of keeping the edge of the bridge always parallel to its first position, which is parallel-to the car-side.

It should be borne in mind that when the bridge is moved into position for use the outer end is adapted to rest against the edge of the car. I have shown a piece of iron, (1, in the shape of a segment secured to the platform, and the bars 0 are adapted to slide over this, and as it is raised above the surface of the platform it will keep the bridge elevated, so that it will move freely. It will also be understood that longitudinal slots may be provided in the bars 0 O, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, in order that the bridge may be adjusted forward or backward in case the space between the platform and car should happen to be wider or narrower than usual.

One of the principal advantages of my invention over the prior inventions of the same character is that, owing to the lateral movement of the bridge, it may be adjusted to cover a narrower or wider space than usual; also, in case by mistake it should, when not in use, proj ect beyond the platform a train of cars coming along would simply push it aside and not damage it in any way. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination, the platform, the bridge arranged with its edge to be parallel with the car, said bridge being connected to and supported at two points upon said platform and having movement laterally and toward and end the said bars are pivotally connected to from the front edge of the platform, substan- In testimony whereofI have signed my name tially as described. to this specification in the presence of two sub- 2. In combination with the platform A, the scribing witnesses. bridge B, supported upon the bars 0 C, said 4 HIRAM T. KEENAN.

5 bars being pivotally connected to the platform, Witnesses:

whereby the bridge is adapted to be shifted, Enos. 0. MARsH,

substantially as described. J AS. PEABODY. 

